State budget: Revenues fall -- projected deficit soars

Wed, Oct 10th 2007, 15:06

Assemblyman John Laird, who chairs the Assembly Budget Committee, said projections in the last three budget years have been worse than reality.

"You always have to be a little nervous, but it's too early to tell," Laird said.

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/424058.html

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Marriage victory in CA State Senate

Mon, Oct 8th 2007, 09:19

A bill authored by openly gay State Senator Mark Leno eliminating gender specific language from the marriage laws now moves to the governor.http://www.bgay.com/bnews/news70907_ca_lawmakers_pass_gay_marriage_bill.htm

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House speaker creates task force to study poverty

Wed, Oct 3rd 2007, 09:30

Posted by The Associated Press October 02, 2007 12:40 PM

MONTGOMERY -- A task force formed by House Speaker Seth Hammett to study poverty in Alabama will hold its first meeting next week.

 "We want to look at policies that adversely impact those in poverty and look at new policies that could lift people out of poverty," said Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, chair of the task force.

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2007/10/house_speaker_creates_task_for.html

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Global Warming Commission holds first meeting

Wed, Oct 3rd 2007, 09:14

 Wednesday, Oct 3, 2007

By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Protecting the environment and promoting economic development don't have to be mutually exclusive goals when reasonable people seek common ground, Gov. Mike Beebe said Tuesday in convening the newly formed Governor's Commission on Global Warming.

When the goals cannot be reconciled, Beebe said, the environment is his top priority.

On Tuesday, the panel elected the House sponsor, state Rep. Kathy Webb, D-Little Rock, co-chairman of the commission, along with Pearlie Reed of Marion, former chief conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2007/10/03/News/343531.html

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A People Person: Adam Ebbin is emphasizing constituent work in his reelection campaign.

Tue, Oct 2nd 2007, 13:41

 By David Schultz
October 2, 2007

For Adam Ebbin, being a Delegate in the Virginia General Assembly is simple: your first priority is to work for the people you represent.

Ebbin, a Democrat in Virginia’s 49th House of Delegates district who is trying to be reelected to his third term, doesn’t tout his partisan credentials or subscribe to a rigid ideological philosophy. According to him, his strength as a politician is that he knows how to compromise and get things done.

http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=88022&paper=60&cat=197

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Gay man named planning chief

Tue, Oct 2nd 2007, 09:44

As Upper Market, the Castro District and other parts of San Francisco face big changes, the city is getting a new planning director.

John Rahaim, who is openly gay, has been Seattle's planning director for four years. He will start his new job in January at a salary of $196,000.

http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2234

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Removal of transgender protection from ENDA angers gay rights groups

Tue, Oct 2nd 2007, 08:58

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that several gay rights groups have withdrawn their support from the End Non-Discrimination Act after Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Barney Frank pulled language from the bill protecting transgendered individuals. A statement from Pelosi said that House Democratic leaders have decided to postpone a vote on the bill in order to "allow proponents of the legislation to continue their discussions with members in the interest of passing the broadest possible bill."http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/02/MN6QSHRA6.DTL&tsp=1

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Council: All displaced renters must be told of aid

Tue, Oct 2nd 2007, 08:40

By Rebekah Schilperoort

Monday, October 01, 2007

To recognize the effect of condominium conversions on displaced renters, the city council unanimously passed an ordinance last week that penalizes developers and property owners who fail to notify eligible renters of tenant relocation assistance.

Tenants who earn at least 80 percent of median income are supposed to receive notice they are due $500 in assistance and the new ordinance just "puts teeth into that requirement," said Tom Rasmussen, chair of the council's housing committee and sponsor of the bill.http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/articles/2007/10/01/news/local_news/news02.txt

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NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS: Mayor wants city hall to do most planning work

Tue, Oct 2nd 2007, 08:38

Monday, October 01, 2007

By Rebekah Schilperoort

Ballard and Crown Hill have done better than most communities at keeping track and implementation of its neighborhood plan, according to assistant city auditor Mary Denzel.

Nearly 900 residents were surveyed for an audit ordered by Seattle City Council member Sally Clark to review the mid-life progress of the 20-year plans. It included people who had helped craft the plans in the late 1990s and some who did not.http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/articles/2007/10/01/news/local_news/news03.txt

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Tim Schofield running strong in Boston

Mon, Oct 1st 2007, 17:19

As the Sept. 25 primary draws closer, Tim Schofield remains a top contender for election to the Boston City Council.http://baywindows.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=008EC9FBCFF24AD18614290016BE1303&nm=Current+Issue&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=0813BC739F2044E5A03DCF2DE3FDF7C9&tier=4&id=D56947E80ED7464AB13D4B

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Feeding The Hungry

Fri, Sep 28th 2007, 16:38

Rep. Kathy Webb of Little Rock has taken the lead in forming a bipartisan caucus to propose hunger-fighting legislation in the next session beginning in January 2009. Her House Republican co-chairman will be Rick Green.

Webb is the first openly gay member of the state Legislature. There were those who thought she would be shunned and, through no fault of her own, ineffective in a legislature dominated by conservative rural males.

Not so.

"Kathy's great," Green told me. "She works hard. And she's solid as a rock. If she tells you something, you can count on it. And that's all you can ask of a legislator."http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/09/20/columns/john_brummett/092007lrbrummett.txt

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Prairie Fest to be held Saturday

Fri, Sep 28th 2007, 16:29

On Saturday, Debra Shore, environmental activist and commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, kicks off the fourth annual Prairie Fest with a keynote address titled "Treating Water Like a Resource, Not as Waste."http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=44880&src=5

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Water Legislation Beginning to Boil in California Special Session

Fri, Sep 28th 2007, 15:29

The California State Senate will begin hearings next Thursday, October 4 at 9:30 a.m. on the water special session when the Natural Resources & Water Committee meets. The panel will consider competing water supply reliability bonds and bills proposing expenditures of previously authorized water bond funds.

Assemblymember John Laird, who is the lead Assembly Democrat on the water special session, introduced a package of three bills Wednesday that Assembly Democrats are advancing during the special legislative session on water.

http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/09/water_legislati.html

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'Green' building may become the law

Tue, Sep 25th 2007, 13:39

Legislation and utility policy put state on efficiency path

In their high-profile campaign against climate change, California lawmakers have set goals for curbing carbon emissions from cars, factories and power plants -- and now they are taking aim at homes and offices.

"Studies show that buildings, like the ones you and I sit in, are responsible for 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions," said Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, by telephone Monday.

Adam Dondro, legislative aide to Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, said: "It's a huge piece that needs to be addressed."

Laird and Lieu co-wrote legislation this year to establish statewide building regulations that would help create new tracts of energy-efficient homes, beginning in 2013. The legislation, Assembly Bill 1058, would direct the state Department of Housing and Community Development to write new building codes that require efficient homes.

Lieu also wrote Assembly Bill 888 to require efficient commercial buildings starting in 2013 as well.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/25/news/top_stories/11_14_569_24_07.txt

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Governor appoints Colorado's first openly gay district judge

Tue, Sep 25th 2007, 10:49

September 18, 2007

David Brett Woods will become Colorado's first openly gay district court judge.

Though one liberal-leaning blog, coloradopols.com, reported that Woods is the first openly gay district court judge and views his accomplishment as an important milestone, Woods said Monday his sexual orientation shouldn't matter, and it won't influence his decisions on the bench.

"To me, it's not particularly news," Woods said. "It's never been an issue before. It's not going to be an issue. I follow the law."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5700609,00.html

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Gay marriage backed

Wed, Sep 19th 2007, 17:01

September 19, 2007

The struggle over same-sex marriage has landed in San Diego, where the City Council agreed yesterday to signal its support for the concept, only to have Mayor Jerry Sanders pledge to veto the action.

Sanders' decision could result in an override of his veto, which requires a simple majority vote of the eight-member council. Councilwoman Toni Atkins said she expects “the votes will hold” to set aside the veto.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070919-9999-1m19marriage.html

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Nations, Collins seek AG's opinion on state's new immigration law

Wed, Sep 19th 2007, 13:26

Published: September 15, 2007 12:00 am

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Five state lawmakers, including two from Cleveland County, have asked for an attorney general's opinion on whether the state's new immigration law is enforceable.

State Reps. Bill Nations and Wallace Collins, both Norman Democrats, and Reps. Al Lindley, D-Oklahoma City; Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City, and Scott BigHorse, D-Pawhuska, sent a seven-page letter to Attorney General Drew Edmondson requesting the opinion, Edmondson's office confirmed Friday.

http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_258012356

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Laird named to statewide water issues

Wed, Sep 19th 2007, 12:59

Assembly Speaker Núñez has named Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) to lead the Assembly working group focused on the special session on statewide water issues. The special session was called for by the governor.

In his role in the working group, Assemblymember Laird is expected to lead discussions between the governor, the Senate and the Assembly as they craft legislation to address various water issues facing California.

http://thecalifornian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/NEWS01/70918010/1002

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Gay Activists Hopeful on Job Bias Ban

Mon, Sep 17th 2007, 09:26

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gay rights advocates expect Congress will soon move closer to approving a federal ban on job discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender workers.

Rep. Barney Frank, a leading proponent, predicts the ban will win House approval in coming weeks.

A bipartisan bill was introduced in April by Reps. Frank; Christopher Shays, R-Conn.; Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio; and Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat who is openly gay. There are 167 co-sponsors, including a handful of Republicans.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Congress-Gay-Rights.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

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Daytime's New Decider: An Interview with Gay Judge David Young

Mon, Sep 10th 2007, 10:28

Andy Towle interviews David Young whose new daytime court show premieres this week.

http://www.towleroad.com/2007/09/ive-watched-jud.html

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